Chapter One: Even further than that...

One more day, just one more day and I'll be sailing the open seas south away from Father's prodding and maiden's stifled giggles and sighs. Far across the seas to the Lone Islands and maybe even as far as Tashbaan in Calormen. But there still remained one last day at Cair Paravel, Prince Gale reminded himself wearily.

King Gilmert was talking to a maiden from Tashbaan when his son, Prince Gale entered the throne room. The girl, Anariel, curtsied deeply and gazed at him in her summing up way before hurrying out of the room. Anariel was nice in her own fashion, she was sensible and practical, thinking long before she spoke.

King Gilmert saw his son's moody expression. "You have kept your end of our bargain, though very begrudgingly; it is only fair I keep mine. Tomorrow you may begin preparing for your trip so as to be ready to leave after the Great Summer feast."

"You promised me that I could leave after the ball tonight."

"But you are not ready to depart tomorrow. Would you not like the favor and blessing of the country on your venture? Also, Trophemes will be here by then."

Gale's face brightened at this. "Are you certain you cannot marry before you go? You could take a honeymoon to the Lone Islands."

"Father you act as if picking a Queen is like picking a horse, it is not done all in a day."

"I picked your Mother in less than a day."

"I am not like you Father."

"You certainly aren't. I'm afraid your love of the seas and new lands is not something I share either."

"I will keep my eyes open for a Queen while I'm gone."

"A good sensible, beautiful one like your Mother. Or like Anariel. What do you think of her?"

Gale lowered his eyes and looked for an escape. "I believe we're running late for the...I am late. I will see you at lunch." Gale rushed off.

Somehow Gale remained sane throughout the remainder of the day and the evening ball. Girls did not act normal around him, the Prince had noticed. Thankfully, when he thought he could take no more, Crystal, his favorite cousin and the only girl he felt comfortable around, arrived at the ball. "I thought you might need someone to rescue you."

The young ladies were nice. His Father gave an a rousing speech. The magicians displayed great feats of magic. But still Gale's mind wandered. "Wake up my Prince, the Lady Percilla just asked for your hand in marriage."

Gale jumped a foot in the air and dropped his glass, splashing the contents all over his spotless white shirt. The black fawn at his side tutted sadly to himself while a smile played at his lips. The duchess has really done no such thing but the fawn thought it a great joke. Lady Percilla was a northerner living in Tashbaan, she was loud, persistent and so skinny she was ugly. To himself Gale envisioned her as a splinter; long, lanky and unforgettable.

Gale glared at the chuckling fawn. "Almonzo, why do you always do that?"

"Prince Gale, it is not my fault that you are clumsy and ruined you tunic. You must learn to be poised and process what is happening around you in a dignified manner, proper for a prince. But first you must be aware of your surroundings. Where does your mind wander to, my Prince?"

"Anywhere away from here."

"You're thinking of the sea. I can see it in you eyes."

"The sea and what lies beyond it. Incredible tales are told about the islands off the tip of Calormen, the Lone Islands. Don't you ever think about going there?"

"No, I try not to."

"The excitement and danger of sailing to an unexplored island inhabited by exotic wild beasts and savages that behead their victims and then roast them alive."

"One can not be roasted alive if one is beheaded first." Almonzo commented.

Gale continued without hearing him, talking of the sea always made him excited. "And then if we still have time we could sail even further than that, to places no one has ever been. Or-"

"Or we could simply enjoy the ball tonight and imagine all those hideous details tomorrow." Almonzo said leaving the Prince to his fantasias about wild beats and man eating cannibals.

I do not own any of the land of Narnia or the surrounding islands, Aslan, or Prince Gale; they belong to C. S. Lewis. I do not have permission from the author to use these, I am not making money on this story either.